Mattress-holder for folding beds.



No. 809,049. PATENTED JAN. 2, 1906.

' V. J. GILLETT.

MATTRESS HOLDER FOR FOLDING BEDS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 7 1904.

[WVEWTUR WITWESE'S a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTRESS-HOLDER FOR FOLDING BEDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1906.

Application filed November '7, 1904. Serial No. 231,699.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VERNOR J. GILLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Mattress-Holders for Folding Beds; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to clamps or fasteners for bedclothes and mattresses, and has for its object a simple easily-adjusted means of securing said bedclothes against slipping and displacement and to this end it consists in the combinations and appliances hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows the clamp connected to the mattressframe. Fig. 2 shows the clamp adjusted to the frame and engaging the bedclothes and mattress. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the clamp. Fig. 4 shows another form of the clamp.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

The device embodying this invention consists of a piece of wire of suitable diameter bent so that the center section A is similar in contour to a capital U. At the end of each arm is a spiral spring B. Each end of wire is then carried parallel with and in the opposite direction to its adjacent arm of the U- shaped center to the elbows 0, when it is bent at approximately right angles and continued in this direction to the elbows D, when another right angle is formed in a direction to cause the arm formed by the remaining length of wire to run in a direction parallel to and in the same direction as its corresponding arm of the U-shaped section at the center. Each wire terminates in a loop E of suitable size. As shown in the drawings, the plane determined by the rim of the loop is preferably at an angle with and not in the same or a parallel plane with that determined by the entire frame of the clamp before adjustment to the mattress. The reason for this will be hereinafter explained.

The manner of using this clamp is as follows: One or more of the longitudinal wires of the wire mattress of the bed passes through the spiral springs B, thus forming one of the points of tenure or leverage. While this method is preferable, the spiral spring may also be attached to the longitudinal wire by any simple fastening, as a twist of wire. Another of the longitudinal wires of the wire mattress passes through and engages the lower or basal portion A of the U-shaped central section, thus forming a second point of leverage. The clamp is attached to the wire mattress with the spiral springs toward the middle line of the mattress and at such a dis tance from the edge that the arms C D are at the edge of the mattress. The mattress being placed upon the supporting wire mattress, the sections B O D E on each side of the central U-shaped section of the clamp are successively bent in a plane at right angles to the plane of said. center section along the line B C until the arm grasps in its jaw the edge of the mattress. When the pressure is released, the resiliency of the wire causes it to press the mattress strongly against the supporting wire mattress. The other arm of the clamp is secured in a similar way.

The reason for making the terminal loops E at an angle to the plane of the entire clamp as it lies when not adjusted and in use now becomes apparent, assuming that the angle of the arm 0 D when the clamp is bent and adjusted to position is, say, forty-five 'degrees from horizontal. If either loop E were constructed so that its plane coincided with that of the rest of the arm, one point of its circumference would embed itself too deeply in the mattress, while the opposite point in the circumference would project upward and take away much of the comfort otherwise derivable from the softness of the mattress. As here arranged, it sinks into the mattress in a horizontal position with its plane parallel to that of the mattress, so that it forms no hard and uncomfortable point. After the clamp is thus adjusted the bedclothes may be folded over the edge of and under the mattress and firmly secured against slipping by being tucked in the wedge-shaped space formed by the meeting of the central U- shaped section and the arms B C on each side of the center section. Any desired number of these clamps may be placed along the sides of the mattress, and the clamp may be used as well to include in its grasp the bedclothes above the mattress in addition to the use outlined in the preceding paragraph.

A modified form of the clamp, in which the spiral springs B are omitted in favor of simbar parallel to said edge and connected with said resilient member, said bar being adapted to be secured to the supporting-frame, substantially as described.

2. A bedclothes-clamp, comprising a unitary resilient member adapted to engage the top, edge, and bottom of a mattress, and a member united thereto at one end, said member lying parallel with the edge of the mattress and being adapted to be secured to the supporting-frame, substantially as described.

3. In a bedclothes-clamp, the combination of end members each adapted to engage the top, edge, and bottom of a mattress with an intermediate member having spring connection with each of said end members, and capable of being attached to a mattress-supporting frame, substantially as described.

4:. In a bedclothes-clamp, the combination of a member designed to be attached to a mattress-supporting frame with end mem bers secured to each end thereof by spring means, each adapted to engage the top, edge and bottom of a mattress, substantially as described.

5. A bedclothes-clamp consisting of a unitary resilient member with a plurality of arms each adapted to engage the top, edge, and bottom of a mattress, said clamp being designed to be attached to the mattress-supporting frame, substantially as described.

6. In a bedclOthes-clam a wire bent at its center to form a halfoop, each end of said half-loop terminating in a spiral spring, from which the wire is extended to form a rectangle, one of whose sides is open, two of the three sides being approximately parallel to the corresponding arm of the central loop and its open side facing in the same direction as the open side of the loop, and terminating in a circular loop whose plane is at an angle to that of the rectangle at one of whose corners it is situated, substantially as described.

7. In a bedclothes-clamp, a wire bent at its center into a U shape, each arm of which is at its upper terminal bent to form a spiral spring, hence continuing to form a rectangle two of whose sides are approximately parallel to its corresponding arm of the U, and Whose fourth side is open and faces in the same direction as the open part of the U, terminating in a small loop whose plane is at an angle to that of the rectangle, at one of whose corners it is situated, substantially as de scribed.

8. In a bedclothes-clamp, a wire bent at its center to form a half-loop, extending symmetrically on each side therefrom, being bent at each end of said half-loop into a spiral spring, continuing thence to form three sides of a rectangle, the open side facing in the same direction as the open end of said central loop, two of the sides thus formed by the wire being approximately parallel to the corresponding arm of the central loop, each end of said wire terminating in a small loop whose plane is at an angle to that determined by the three sides of the rectangle to one of whose corners it is attached, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

VERN OR J. GILLETT. Witnesses CHARLES F. BURTON. MAY E. Kor'r. 

